The Hindu : Front Page : Chennai master plan may get the nod soon

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Mar 25, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Front Page

Front Page

Chennai master plan may get the nod soon

A. Srivathsan

CHENNAI: The State government is likely to approve the second draft master plan for Chennai during the current Assembly session.

In January, it returned the draft master plan, raising objections including, lack of clarity on Development Control Rules, classification of housing categories, terms of open space reservation and compound walls around cemetery.

The CMDA revised the plan and accommodated the government suggestions. The plan was sent back for final approval. Government sources say that a fresh round of consultations was held with various departments. The government is likely to incorporate the opinions given by the departments and approve the plan in this budget session.

The second master plan has raised builders’ expectations . It is expected that the building rules such as side setback spaces and classification of special buildings will be relaxed. Anticipating this, some building projects were put on hold.

The new rules, many builders think, will facilitate more construction, while those who have already completed unauthorised building construction think that the plan may weaken the case of regularisation.

The first master plan was published in 1975. The second draft master plan was made public in April 2007. The suggestions made by the public and experts were cleared in November, 2007 and the plan was submitted for final approval.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Front Page